Last week I published an article in TurfPro - A CRISIS IN GOLF- on the current state of golf, considering how greenkeeping staff can often be treated poorly and undervalued. The article inspired many turf professionals to get in touch or respond to the article, both via TurfPro and social media, with many agreeing with the points I made as well as adding to the debate.

The real issue, as I see it, is the fact that it doesn’t seem to matter what qualifications a worker has, or indeed the amount of money they are paid, rather it would seem that plenty of employers still regard the job in the main, as a grass cutting operation.

It is about time that everyone appreciates the skill sets that are required to deliver a quality golfing facility, that meets the expectations of its members 365 days of the year - regardless of what the weather throws at them. People need to understand how there are so many varying factors that come into play in the daily maintenance of a golf course, sports ground or school playing field.

It is sad to think that after all these years of promoting the industry and seeing in the last couple of decades the vast progress that has been made in the quality of playing surfaces, that the role of a turf professional is still held in such low esteem. 

Frank Newberry posed a question after reading my piece last week that said, “Taking the points you make at the end of your article Laurence, how would you go about what you say is needed and where would you start?”

I thank Frank for his question and would respond that it is now up to a collective response from a number of organisations who represent these professionals, to come together and finally agree a way to alter this perception. We need to get these people recognised and valued in the same light as plumbers, engineers or electricians for example, but more importantly, they must be treated as equals to others who work alongside them.

I believe we require several key organisations, such as the GMA, BIGGA, R&A, RHS, Landscape Institute, Parks Management Forum and BAGMA to finally work together to deliver a pathway and a plan to promote the value of the work delivered by these professionals.
 
Take professional sport for an example. Without the production of excellent playing surfaces, there would be no game. No game, then no money for the professional sportsperson and, crucially, no money for the owners who enjoy profits from these games. 

Millions of pounds can be generated from a single premiership football match and even more from international sporting events such as the Rugby World Cup, golf tournaments, Test Match cricket and of course the Wimbledon Tennis championships.

Without the skills, dedication and passion of these turf professionals working tirelessly, these sporting events could not take place. 

Even considering grassroots and community sport, thousands of people’s lives would be affected without the dedication and work of both paid and volunteer grounds staff.

So clearly there is a great value in what these turf professionals and volunteers bring to the table.

The industry must come together

Maybe we need to set up a new national trade union that supports the rights of turf professionals?! That would certainly get people to sit up and take notice.

Can you imagine the disruption if all the professional grounds people suddenly went on strike and there was no golf, football, rugby and cricket being played across the county?! I am sure there would be uproar and attitudes would start to change.

I would be most interested to hear from some of the top turf professionals as well as the heads of the trade organisations mentioned, as to what their thoughts are on this issue.

I know from working in this industry for many years both Jim Croxton at BIGGA and Geoff Webb at GMA have been working hard for their own specific organisations - however, I would argue we are still not seeing any significant, cultural change in the attitudes towards grounds professionals.

I personally think we need several key organisations to come together and collectively seek a way to change the mindset of people, raising the profile and respect of those who choose to work in this diverse industry. 

Primarily, we need the top trade organisations to come together to discuss this issue, and come up with a collective set of recommendations or strategies to solve this problem.

This coming together of organisations could also collectively solve a number of problems we are currently facing in our industry, including:

• Recruitment
• Pay and conditions.
• National apprentice/ academy scheme

I have said in previous articles we need a national campaign to go into schools to inform 15–18-year-olds of the opportunities and careers available within this industry globally.

We need a new career pathway into the industry, creating a national apprenticeship / academy scheme where we get 2000-5000 per year coming into the industry.

An ambitious plan but I one that I believe is well needed, Yes, we may already have sporadic apprentice schemes running, but alas not a national one that brings us all together, singing off the same hymn sheet.

I know Lantra are developing a new Pathway scheme for agriculture, so maybe we need to work together on developing this scheme to facilitate the amenity sector and sports turf apprentices?

Let’s just hope we can finally come together and find a way to embrace the whole industry and get the respect we deserve as turf professionals.

The GMA have confirmed line-up for their Hub at SALTEX this week, that they say is all devised to "boost the game, skills, career, and surfaces" of visitors.

The technical and learning team will be available to discuss training and education options for those who have been in the industry for years, and to those just starting out.

The GMA’s Pitch Advisory Service and sport’s National Governing Bodies will also be at the Hub to advise on funding or give visitors a tour of equipment for community sport clubs being displayed in the new Community Sport Zone, located alongside the GMA Hub.

Meanwhile, ready to share their knowledge at the Hub’s dedicated Soil Science area will be soil science experts Dr Kate Entwistle and Alex Vickers, equipped to help tackle common turfgrass problems.

The GMA’s Membership Services team will be at the Hub to talk visitors through why they should consider joining the association.

The GMA also they are on the hunt for passionate and engaging young people to join its Young Board of Directors and members will be on hand each day from 10.00am until 1.00pm to discuss what is involved with all interested parties. 

Hosting the Job Clinic, will be careers counsellor Frank Newbury. He will be available to offer expert and current guidance on perfecting CVs, proactive job searching, performing better at job interviews, as well as negotiating pay and perks. And for those on the other side of the interview table, Frank can give insight on how to select the right candidate for every role.

The GMA Hub will be located at stand C190.

Organisers of GroundsFest have announced that event profits are being reinvested back into the industry to form The GroundsFest Education Fund. 

They say the Fund has been designed to provide support to help students at land-based colleges overcome specific barriers to participation so they can remain in education. The aim, they say, is to not only support and enhance a student’s education experience but to encourage more people into the industry by making education more accessible. 

Through profits generated from GroundsFest, organisers say that students will be able to obtain funding for a wide range of items such as course literature, stationary, tools, laptops, computers and other electrical goods, driving lessons, and accredited training courses on subjects including machinery, weed management, sports turf maintenance, lawn care and arboriculture.

Event director Christopher Bassett said, “Unfortunately, the number of young people embarking on a career in grounds management is in decline and collectively, we should be doing all we can to change this. Education is the first step into the industry but the numbers coming through and qualifying are worryingly low. 

"After several conversations, we were shocked to hear that students are being forced out of education or are being prevented from entering education due to not having the money to purchase necessary items. Our aim was to always give back to the industry through the event and therefore we are extremely proud to be launching The GroundsFest Education Fund.”

The scheme will be trialled for the first year at Wiltshire College & University Centre before being rolled out nationwide. Victoria Fiander, assessor in horticulture, and Bradley Tennant, sports turf lecturer, both from Wiltshire College, were instrumental in the development of the Fund.

Commenting on the new scheme, Bradley said, “Working with students, I know they often can't find work due to travel arrangements. We are located in a very rural area, and having access to The GroundsFest Education Fund has the potential to bring more young people into our industry. Something as simple as driving lessons could pave the way for their future to become an industry leader. 

“Land-based colleges are the point of entry for the vast majority of horticulture, from sports turf stadiums to the local garden centre. It's vital we support our colleges. There are currently only 12 land-based colleges within the UK, which is a worrying number considering you can't turn your head without seeing something that's been involved with horticulture in some form.

"The industry is struggling from top to bottom and education is the way forward.”

The search is on to recognise the UK's most professional sprayer operators in the sports turf, amenity and landscape management industries. 

The Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year (ASOOTY) awards highlight best practice and experience in the challenging role of ensuring accurate application on all amenity surfaces.

Sponsored by ICL and Syngenta and managed by the Amenity Forum, the awards seek to share top tips and advice that will raise the standards of spray application across the amenity industry. 
 
The finalists and winner will be announced and presented at the prestigious BIGGA Awards ceremony at BTME in January 2024, with prizes worth over £500. All ASOOTY applicants will also be entered into a competition to win one of five Syngenta Sprayer Calibration & Application Kits.  BASIS CPD points for participating in the awards have been applied for. 

Organisers say the skills of sprayer operators to make efficient, effective and above all safe applications is essential for the future sustainability of the amenity and turf care industry. ASOOTY awards are a welcome way to recognise and reward the leading individuals and to learn from their experience.

With more than a million square feet of exhibits and 30 acres outside, organisers of Equip Exposition which took place last week in Louisville, Kentucky, say they once again broke records in attendance and exhibit space sales.

The trade show expanded its usual footprint at the Kentucky Exposition Center to add the West Wing this year due to space demands. “The 2023 show was our largest to date - in attendance, in booth sales, sponsorships, and in education sessions,” says Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), which owns Equip Exposition.

“It shows you how much companies and manufacturers want to be part of Equip Exposition and showcase their products to landscapers, dealers, and the entire industry. It is the place to be every October if you’re in this business.”

Kris continued, “We’ve now grown to fill all of the halls and have added a big part of the West Wing to our footprint. Not to mention, we have maxed out on outdoor demo space, which is one of our most popular features. It’s the only show in the industry where you can dig, cut, mow, mulch and test equipment before buying. This year we also added select workshops in Spanish, a women’s reception and an expanded UTV track outside.”

This year’s Equip say they brought together more than 27,000 registered attendees from all 50 U.S states and 46 countries. Landscape contractor registrations increased by 20% over last year, and dealers were up 5%. 

Organisers say plans for 2024 are well under way, including a Welcome Reception at Churchill Downs, which will mark the 150th anniversary of the Kentucky Derby in May 2024 with upgrades to the racetrack, as well as another arena concert at the Yum! Center in downtown Louisville. 

“Building on the success of this year’s show, we continue to incorporate new experiences for 2024. We’re currently looking for talent for another Yum! Center concert and building out the slate of speakers for our education series,” Kris says. “Every year, Equip Exposition invests in and commits to making the user experience unique in response to the industry’s needs, demands and market changes. So while it will be the same show you’ve always loved - it will just get better.”

Registration for the 2024 show is now open.

A CRISIS IN GOLF

WHEN AUTUMN LEAVES FALL

AUTUMN TURF DISEASE PREVENTION

DISGUSTING VANDALISM

GROUNDSFEST KICKS OFF

REFLECTIONS ON CHANGES IN THE MARKETPLACE - PART II
by guest editor, Ian 'Poggy' Pogson

THE VALUE OF LOCAL COMMUNITY CLUBS

BUSY SHOW SEASON UPON US

WATCH OUT FOR AUTUMN DISEASES

REFLECTIONS ON CHANGES IN THE MARKETPLACE
by guest editor, Ian 'Poggy' Pogson

HEDGE CUTTING SEASON

AERATION IS KEY

RAIN STOPPED PLAY

EDUCATION IN SPORTS TURF

by guest editor, David Roberts

SPORTING (SURFACES) PROWESS

WATER SHORTAGES

CRICKET ON THE UP

MY TOP FIVE CONCERNS

by guest editor, Andrew Turnbull 

BIODIVERSITY IN PARKS

DROUGHT CONDITIONS PREVAIL

MAY BE BUSY

A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
by guest editor Angus Macleod

TURF HARVEST FESTIVAL

FEEDING TIME

TIME TO GET TOUGH

STAY CURIOUS!
by guest editor, Alex Vickers

A TRANSISTIONAL MONTH

SPRING IS UPON US

HEDGE YOUR BETS

PEOPLE'S PARKS, PUBLIC PARKS - IN PERIL?

by guest editor, Paul Rabbits

TESTING TIMES AHEAD

ROBOTIC POTENTIAL

CHANGEOVER TIME

WE MUST DEVELOP OUR OWN STAFF

by guest editor, Karl McDermott

DOUBLE CENTURY CELEBRATED

OUR PARKS IN CRISIS

AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESS

OPTIMISM RETURNING
By Guest Editor, Roy Rigby

WATERLOGGING ISSUES

NEW YEAR, NEW FEATURES

View all of 2022's blogs here

View all of 2021's blogs here

View all of 2020's blogs here

View all of 2019's blogs here

View all of 2018's blogs here

A NEWFOUND APPRECIATION FOR ALL VOLUNTEERS
Who look after grassroots pitches

SUSTAINABILITY & THE UK ACTION PLAN
For weed, pest and disease management

CONCERN FOR PARKS FOLLOWING COUNCIL BANKRUPTCIES
What does the future hold?

TAKING A GLOBAL LOOK AT SUSTAINABILITY
Is the rest of the world also driving towards sustainable practice?

RENOVATIONS, PLAY AND THANKS
On my mind this week

SUSTAINABILITY – IMPLICATIONS FOR TRAINING & EDUCATION
Set to play a crucial role going forward

TULIP TREE
Liriodendron tulipifera

LYDIA BROOM
Genista lydia

THE LAWN AND ITS VALUE
Changing attitudes

GIANT HOGWEED
Invasive and potentially harmful

LIFE-CYCLE ANALYSIS & SUSTAINABILITY
Considering every stage of the journey

NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY
The most important nutrient

BERBERIS THUNBERGII
A shrub that has stood the test of time

ENSURING FUTURE PROSPERITY
Advice imparted at road shows

INNOVATION & SUSTAINABILITY
A key focus

PHOTINA RED ROBIN
A sensational flowering shrub

VALUING THE GRASSROOTS
We must not overlook those who maintain these grounds

MANAGING WEEDS SUSTAINABLY
In amenity spaces

DETECTING NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
In turf plants

SPRING RENOVATIONS UNDERWAY
A crucial period

SUSTAINABILITY IN SUPPLY
A focus on those who supply essential inputs to our sector

CHANGING CLIMATE
Is a borehole the key for clubs?

SUSTAINABILITY AT THE SHARP END
How to put into practice when budgets are tight?

ANOTHER NAIL IN THE COFFIN OF GRASSROOTS RUGBY
Clubs are struggling

SUSTAINABILITY IN PRACTICE
Seeking transparent and robust supply chains is essential

TIME FOR ACTION
To reverse recruitment crisis

CONTROLLING COSTS
Planning is crucial

THE SEARCH FOR SUSTAINABILITY
What exactly does the term mean?

CARING FOR THE GRASSROOTS
From volunteers to contractors

DEFRA IS LETTING DOWN THE COUNTRY
Complete failure to address the plastic grass debate

WE CAN ALL DO MORE
To aid biodiversity

MY LIFE IN GREENKEEPING
With Bruce Cruickshank

LEVELLING UP, GETTING SMARTER & GETTING AHEAD
Parks require so much more funding

SWITCHED ON FOR HARD WORK
Putting trimmers through their paces

MACHINERY HIGHLIGHTS
At this year's show

MY SALTEX
Daniel Lewis​, Manchester City Football Club

AWASH WITH LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Two months till showtime

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD
Priorities for the amenity sector

THE DECLINE OF ‘PARKITECTURE’
A symptom of the state of parks in 2022

DEVELOPERS SHIRKING GREEN SPACE RESPONSIBILITIES
Lack of financial commitment

TIME TO COME TOGETHER
For the good of the industry

THE DEATH OF GRASS ROOTS CRICKET
Gathering apace?

ROUTES INTO THE INDUSTRY MUST BE ENSURED
Q&A with David Fisher, Lantra’s head of industry partnerships

STRONG VIEWS ON CRICKET PITCH PERFORMANCE MARKING
A bone of contention

A PREMIUM PRODUCT
Delivered at Naas Golf Club

THE GREEN REVOLUTION
And Esker Hills

MAKING A CHANGE
Laytown and Bettystown Golf Links

A DAY AT THE RACES
Naas Race Course

WORKING TOGETHER AS ONE VOICE
How the industry needs to proceed

OVER 175 YEARS OF EDUCATION
Wesley College

ELECTRIC EXCITEMENT
Dennis's Ian Howard talks electrification

THE HOME OF CORK GAA
Páirc Uí Chaoimh

LONG POLE BATTERY HEDGE TRIMMERS TESTED
STIHL HLA 66 and HLA 86

OVER 800 YEARS OF HISTORY
Johnstown Castle and Gardens

A CLUB GONE WILD
Kilkenny Golf Club

A GOLF COURSE IN THE GARDEN OF IRELAND
Woodenbridge GC

80 YEARS YOUNG
Charleville Golf Club

AN UPLIFTING EXPERIENCE
Bunclody Golf & Fishing Club

GETTING BACK TOGETHER
Albeit gradually . .

GO WEST
Inishturk GAA pitch – one of the most westerly sportspitches in Europe

WORKING ON A TIGHT BUDGET
Nenagh Golf Club

ON A MISSION
Wrekin Golf Club aiming to enrich wildlife and fauna

WILD AND WONDERFUL
Design By Nature

LEARNING HOW TO SURVIVE
Abbey Par 3

TACKLING OBESITY
Vital that schools can provide sport

A LIFETIME OF LEARNING
Vital for turf professionals

CELEBRATING 125 YEARS
Tullamore Golf Club

UNIVERSITY CHALLENGES
At Trinity College Dublin

BLENDING THE OLD WITH THE NEW
Bray Golf Club

A WELL POLISHED COURSE!
Ierne Social And Sports Club

IDENTIFYING THE TRUE VALUES
Of grounds maintenance

THE INDUSTRY WILL CHANGE & ADAPT
But it will survive

WIRRAL GOLF COURSES SAVED
Renewed hope and optimism for the future

GREEN SPACE CONTRIBUTION TO WELLBEING IS UNDERVALUED
Parks invisible on national agenda

A SHINING LIGHT IN IRELAND'S SUNNY SOUTHEAST
Wexford Golf Club

GREEN SPACES DO NOT LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES!
Keith Kent says we must invest in people

WE SHOULD TELL THE WORLD ABOUT THE UK INDUSTRY
Right time for all sides to come together

SOIL LIFE IS PRECIOUS
Good-quality soil can help save the planet

MORE THAN JUST CUTTING GRASS
Encouraging the next generation

A BUZZ FROM DOING THE JOB
Wide experience of the turf grass industry

PAYING THEIR WAY
Low wages is the bane of the industry

AMENITY MANAGEMENT IMPACTS US ALL
Professor John Moverley

CARING FOR PARKS OF ALL TYPES
Mary Worrall

TOP FIVE FRUSTRATIONS FOR CRICKET GROUNDSMEN
What causes you the most frustration in your role?

PROFESSIONALS AT THE CUTTING EDGE
Vic Demain and Phil Sharples

BOWLS CLUBS IN PERIL
A sad decline

A VERY SPECIAL INDUSTRY
Loz looks back

SNEAK PEAK AT A ROBOTIC "GAME CHANGER"
Commercial model capable of covering 50,000 m2 teased

HALESOWEN PICK A BIG ROBOT UP FRONT
Invest in mowers

COMPRESSED AERATION
The new way

PARKS MATTER MORE THAN EVER
Recent sector developments

ON TEST
STIHL blowers

THREE CORE VALUES TO SHAPE OUR INDUSTRY
Real concerns for the future

ENGLAND'S GREEN SPACE GAP
A split along racial lines

ON TEST
EGO STX3800 strimmer with RTX2300 Rotocut head

A SECTOR FACING IMPORTANT TIMES
Review of the National Action Plan

PARKS MATTER
The role of public parks in the recovery: a discussion paper

A UNIQUE SPORTING VENUE
Wormsley private estate

A BTME OUTDOORS?
A good bet for the industry

PARKS NEED APPROPRIATE POLITICAL REPRESENTATION
Q&A with Philippa Reece, Parks and Foreshore Manager at Adur and Worthing Council

CRICKET LOAM
What does it mean?

A HERCULEAN EFFORT TO GET PARKS BACK TO NORMAL
Q&A with Chris Worman, Rugby Borough Council’s parks and ground manager

ON TEST
STIHL battery products

TURFGRASS STRESS MANAGEMENT
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and antioxidants during biotic and abiotic stress in turfgrass plants

AUTUMN DISEASE MANAGEMENT
The coming months are going to prove very difficult

THE ABUSE OF PARKS . .
Is the abuse of society

WHY PARKS MATTER?
A statement from the Parks Management Forum to the Prime Minister

THE 21st CENTURY PARKS MANAGER
Innovative, creative and entrepreneurial

EAT, SLEEP, CUT, REPEAT!
Cricket under covid

TIME FOR A SINGLE SHOW?
Debate brought back into focus

A CHALLENGING TWO MONTHS
Running golf design projects from home

PRESSURE SITUATION
Cementing the reputation

A CLUB TO BE PROUD OF
10 years at the helm of Olton GC

GAME CHANGERS IN TURFCARE
The day the Lord's outfield reconstruction proved its worth

THE ESSENCE OF ESSENTIAL
Finding a sensible way forward on defining "essential maintenance"

THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS
2001

HOW TO LOOK AFTER A GOLF COURSE WITH NO GOLFERS
Fundamental to the survival of almost all courses, if not of the game itself

RAIN STOPPED PLAY WOULD BE WELCOME
. . along with ‘lunch is being taken early’

PHYSICAL CONTROL OF TURFGRASS PESTS
An urgent problem

A DIVERSE & ENTERTAINING WEEK
Successful BTME 2020

INTEGRATED PEST CONTROL
Opportunity to embrace new methods

ENVILLE ON THE UP
Major investments taking place

GREEN FLAG AWARDS 2019
A great success

U.S PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT SHOW EXCELS
Buoyant GIE+EXPO

LEGACY OF THE SOLHEIM CUP
At Gleneagles

A DAY OUT WITH THE LADIES
Behind the scenes at the Solheim Cup

COVENTRY UNIVERSITY'S EDIBLE GARDEN SUCCESS
2006 - present

HAIL THE GRASS MASTERS!
Boorish media comments about pitch quality are wide of the mark

CONTRACTOR SEES MULTI-DISCIPLINE SUCCESS
360 Ground Care serving professional facilities

BUSY TIMES
Judging the Green Flag Awards

TAKING AN INTEGRATED APPROACH
What does it all mean in managing turf surfaces?

UNDER PRESSURE
Dry weather conditions continue to keep turf managers focused on moisture management

EDDIE SEAWARD
Death of Wimbledon’s influential grounds manager

MAJOR NEW IRRIGATION PROJECT
At Top 100 classic Berkhamsted Golf Club

NEW HORIZONS FOR THE HATTERS
Investment paying off at Kenilworth Road

ELIZABETHAN RESTORATION
At Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens

WHAT IS BIOPHILIA?
The vital impact of parks and green spaces on health and well-being

WORM CONTROL
Without carbendazim

THE TRUE COST OF PETROL
Battery-powered outdoor power tools are now turning the heads of professionals

SANDS OF TIME
Sand-based pitches are now the norm in professional sports

WHY DO WE DO THE RIGHT THING?
We must maintain industry standards

CHASING GRASS PERFECTION?
11 things you need to know . . .

MAINTAINING STANDARDS
Q&A with BASIS ceo, Stephen Jacobs

STRI RESEARCH DAY 2018
Hosted at research trial grounds in Bingley

THE MECHANIC
Leicester City FC invest in new role

LORD'S 'GRASS-GUVNOR' TO RETIRE
Mick Hunt bows out after 49 years

HOLLOW CORING & DEEP SCARIFICATION
Is it really necessary?

I started my greenkeeping career in August 1979, and have been a head greenkeeper since I was 24 years old. During that time, I have had the pleasure of meeting some really passionate and hard-working greenkeepers, wherever I have been.

It has always intrigued me about the ways clubs have staffed their courses and the constant battles for resources between greenkeepers and their managers. It has always been a mantra for me to never judge the standard of courses I play or visit without an idea of the resources available at the club, be that staffing or materials. Every task, particularly in the winter programme, was focused on eking out resources to get tasks done to the best level affordable. This would sometimes mean that several tasks would be partially completed because we had an excavator on hire, then prepping several jobs for turf and before laying it all in one go. Complaints that we looked like a building site every winter were not uncommon, nor unjustified. Now we will not start a job unless the budget is available and we try to get each job finished before moving on to the next, even though that costs more.

For my own part, I have always tried to get the most out of every pound of my budget and have frequently been commended by club’s for not exceeding budgets. But, occasionally, over the years, I have also been criticised for not doing the best job, because I was shackled by a seemingly, ‘cast in stone’ budget. Now, something strange has happened coming out of the whole Covid and lockdown fiasco. Many clubs have moved to increase staffing, order extra equipment and increase budgets. Staff wages are going up, still not enough, but going in the right direction, and even new initiatives to bring young people into greenkeeping - applause! 

This isn’t happening everywhere, but as we have noticed, when one club raises the bar, others follow so as not to be left behind. Here on the Wirral, we have quite a high proportion of clubs, given the land area, and we certainly have some clubs at the top and bottom of the income bracket. One club has always been at the top end income-wise, with everyone else happy to toil in their wake. Then almost miraculously, and something that I have observed numerous times over the years, clubs that have restricted spending for one greenkeeper, open the floodgates for the next. You may remember a club, in the London area who were the subject of a documentary about their treatment of female members and staff. The club were mortified about how they were portrayed and made serious strides to address their shortcomings. The new greenkeeper was showered with riches, for machinery predominantly, but his spending became the brunt his of local peers’ mockery. Some of it was probably envy on their part, but some of the spending almost looked gratuitous. An exorbitant sum was spent on a ditch clearing machine, I seem to remember, when a mini excavator would have more than sufficed, and it didn’t end there.  

Anyway, timing is everything they say, and sometimes, a club is just at the right point to try and put right what years of underspending has left them with, and wake the sleeping giant as it were. I have had occasion to feel sorry for the previous incumbent of a position, when a club makes this quantum leap, but I have benefitted from it twice in my career. Sometimes it may be that the club didn’t think their ‘man’ wasn’t worth the investment, or a regime change within a club has freed it from restrictive practices, or even Covid bringing in new members and increasing the uptake of golf again.

So back to the Wirral, where an influx of greenkeeping talent and the awakening of clubs’ management to the benefits and rewards of resource provision to match their expectations, have created a small rising tide, raising all boats, so to speak. As the bar has been risen, so has the thirst by some clubs to see how good they can be, and so long as this is prudently financed, the whole industry benefits. Our main problem, currently, seems to be getting and keeping quality staff members, and competitive wages should help, then getting the machinery to place their bums on. Whilst we saw a major supply issue, this has then been exacerbated by a worldwide surge in demand, ordering now for 2025?

From the Yin side of greenkeeping talent, and matching resources to expectations, is the Yang of charlatans, overbearing owners and misguided committees, that come and go at clubs. My experience of owners covers both ends of spectrum, a German Count and Countess, vs a self-made Yorkshiremen who stole the company from under his two brothers. Both great experiences, but I’d only want to repeat one.

I have seen many greenkeeping friends, lose their jobs whilst standing up for their greenkeeping principles, whilst other have fleeced their clubs, or left a wide swath of poorly executed jobs for others to put right. What I’ve never been able to understand, is why these bad apples are not rooted out of the industry, because we are all tarred by the brush of their misdeeds. Incompetency should never be accepted, and some are promoted to their own level of this. Alcoholics, thieves, fraudsters, have been moved on for other clubs to deal with, and perpetuate their misdemeanours wherever they turn up. If someone has a real problem, then they need support, and there now many ways that this can be provided. But we should not allow incompetency to be shuffled on to another employer as this helps no-one least of an industry that has allowed me to work abroad, paid my mortgage and befriend some great people along the way. I would hope that I would be welcome at any club that I have served, even my previous club who, due to a change in the guiding influences within the management, made my final decision to leave quite easy. Fortunately, it was only a blip, and the club is in much better hands these days.